Macao News https://macaonews.org Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:20:29 +0000 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:24:04 +0800 Erico Dias 68116 2023-12-05 12:24:04 2023-12-05 12:24:04 3 With the passage of these two bills, the Macao government aims to considerably strengthen the SAR’s national security apparatus. ]]>The Macao SAR Government is doubling down on its efforts to safeguard national security through the passage of two bills – one aimed at protecting state secrets and another that limits candidacy for the Legislative Assembly to those deemed to be “patriots.” The state secrets bill has been sent to the legislature for a vote and, if it passes, will come into effect on 6 January.  Under the new law, the Chief Executive’s power will be expanded, allowing them to determine the type of information that can be defined as secret, as well as the duration and terms under which such information remains classified.  It also specifies eight categories of state secrets, including strategic decisions made by the SAR government.  [See more: Lawmakers approve amendments to the national security law] An outline of a bill to amend the Legislative Assembly Election Law was meanwhile passed unanimously yesterday. The new law recommends seven criteria to assess whether a potential candidate is upholding the Basic Law and demonstrating sufficient loyalty to the Macao SAR.  During the introduction of the amendment, Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong stated that the government had received feedback on the reforms from the public through consultation sessions held from 15 June to 29 July.  The purpose of the amended law, he mentioned, was to guarantee the principle of “patriots governing Macao.” The law also stipulates that anyone found publicly inciting voters to cast blank or invalid votes will be punished by up to three years’ of imprisonment. Moreover, those who refuse to declare their loyalty to the Macao SAR will not be eligible to take part in the election.  Following the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Macao has broadened its national security laws extensively. In his 2024 Policy Address, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng noted that one of the major pillars of his administration would be strengthening public and national security.  —With reporting by Kenny Fong  ]]> Tue, 21 Nov 2023 07:45:13 +0800 Erico Dias 67676 2023-11-21 07:56:01 2023-11-21 07:45:13 3 Officials say that the law, which has not been amended in 22 years, needs to be updated in line with national security legislation.]]>The Macao government is to amend the law on oaths of office in order to bring it into line with national security legislation. According to a report in Macau Post Daily, the administration and justice secretary André Cheong made the disclosure in the legislature yesterday.  Macao’s current law on oaths of office came into force when the Special Administrative Region was established in 1999 and has not been amended since 2001.  [See more: The Chief Executive delivers his 2024 Policy Address] The law covers the chief executive, principal officials, the president of the Legislative Assembly, the president of the Court of Final Appeal, the public prosecutor-general, members of the Executive Council, legislators, judges, and prosecutors. The new amendment is expected to require oaths of office from all public servants, as well as members of the Chief Executive Election Committee. Cheong said the local government was committed to ensuring the implementation of the local national security law. He did not give a timeline for the government’s proposed amendment bill.  ]]> Thu, 16 Nov 2023 13:56:37 +0800 Erico Dias 67560 2023-11-16 13:56:37 2023-11-16 13:56:37 3 Ho Iat Seng addressed questions concerning the LRT, social welfare, housing, health and other topics during his policy address Q&A with lawmakers yesterday. ]]>Macao’s Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, answered questions from legislators concerning his 2024 Policy Address in a session held in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.  During the session, Ho made several important announcements, including the disclosure that the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Barra Line would open next month, connecting the Macao Peninsula with Taipa by rail for the very first time.  The question of launching another round of electronic consumption cards was also raised, to which Ho said, “I can immediately tell everyone here that (the government) doesn’t have the means (to do this).” He pointed out that “If there is another round of consumption cards, the budget next year will be in deficit.”  Ho meanwhile announced that he hoped the pricing for the five social housing projects in New Urban Zone Area A would be established by January of next year at the latest. Currently, the projects have yet to complete their tender review process. [See more: The Chief Executive delivers his 2024 Policy Address] On the subject of health, the CE reiterated that the Island Hospital would commence its trial opening next month and assured Macao residents that there was “no need to worry about the problem of fees” because eligible residents will not be charged as long as they go through the Health Bureau’s referral system.  In response to a question about promoting patriotic education in Macao, the CE stated that Mainland China’s Patriotic Education Law, which is set to take effect on 1 January 2024, will not apply to Macao, as it does not fall within Macao’s Basic Law. However, he said that the SAR can “absorb the essence of the law in terms of love of country and Macao.” He added that work could be done in this area in relation to local education, community groups, events and people’s mindsets. In terms of university education, Ho said that the number of international students in Macao's tertiary education system this year had returned to 2019 levels, after a reduction during the pandemic over the past three years.  The recording of the Policy Address Q&A session can be viewed online through the Government Information Bureau YouTube page and other government-affiliated websites.  —With reporting by Kenny Fong  ]]> Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:36:33 +0800 Erico Dias 67470 2023-11-14 18:39:13 2023-11-14 15:36:33 3 Macao’s top official lays out his vision for the coming year and highlights his administration’s work in national security and economic diversification.]]>Macao’s Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, has delivered his policy address for 2024 to the Legislative Assembly.  He began his speech by highlighting his administration’s main preoccupations, including national security, the continued recovery of the economy from the Covid-19 pandemic and the push for economic diversification. Ho said that his administration was working to protect national security through legislation, education and the support of the Judiciary Police. He drew attention to a law concerning the protection of state secrets, and a legislative election amendment bill, which are both currently under deliberation in the legislature.  Macao’s economy in review The CE also discussed the revitalisation of the economy, stating that there were 51 public projects undertaken so far this year, with a total budget of 100 million patacas. [See more: Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng canvases views for his 2024 Policy Address] Ho said that the outlook for recovery continues to be positive. In the first half of this year, GDP increased by 71.5 percent year-on-year and reached 71 percent of the figure during the same period in 2019. During the first eight months of this year, the number of visitors to Macao also increased 3.6 times compared to the same period last year in 2022.  Economic diversification was one of the main themes of Ho’s speech. He mentioned the government’s efforts to strengthen the local bond market, and stressed Macao’s development as a city for exhibitions and conventions, pointing out that it was selected as the Best Convention City in Asia in August.  Macao’s development in 2023 Improvements in the standard of living have also been made, Ho said, citing the government’s introduction of new training programmes and youth internships, and the imminent opening of the Islands District Medical Complex.  The government has also been working to expand its electronic services, Ho said, pointing out plans for the SAR’s very first digital ID card. The CE added that Macao One app had also been well-received, with a total registration of 541,000 people so far. Ho said that 2023 witnessed the development of considerable local infrastructure, as exemplified by projects such as the LRT extension to Barra, which is set to open at the end of this year, and the fourth Macao-Taipa cross-harbour bridge.  The CE also spoked about the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and the need to simplify cross-border procedures for traffic.  [See more: A new bill aims to amend Macao’s chief executive election law] [caption id="attachment_67481" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Photo by Chris wu[/caption] Macao looks ahead to 2024 Ho said that his priorities for the coming year were to strengthen national security and continue to diversify the economy. Although the global economy is improving, the geopolitical situation remains unstable and his administration will continue to work to cushion the impact on the SAR. He stressed the need to expand Macao’s visitor offering by developing other types of tourism such as medical and sports tourism. Parts of the old city are being revitalised in order to lure different types of visitors. Expanding Air Macau’s network will also help lure more long-haul travellers, Ho says, along with greater utilisation of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The 25th anniversary of Macao’s handover, which takes place next year, will see special efforts to boost tourism. The CE said attracting investment in the tech sector, especially in Hengqin, will be a priority in 2024, along with the need to recruit top talent in different sectors. With respect to social welfare, Ho confirmed that cash handouts to eligible residents under the so-called “wealth partaking scheme” would continue.  [See more: Macao’s tourism industry is on track for a busy November] Among other pledges being made for the coming year: - Land reclamation work for the airport’s expansion will begin in the latter half of 2024 - The government will continue to work to phase out motorcycles and buses powered by traditional fossil fuels, and step up efforts to enforce its ban on the importation of plastic cutlery  - More work will be done to refurbish historic buildings and protect intangible heritage in order to promote cultural tourism - Topflight mainland Chinese educators will be invited to improve local education standards - The government will work to introduce seamless air transfers to Hengqin and streamline the movement of goods between Macao and Hengqin - Macao will facilitate cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries via Forum Macao’s 6th ministerial conference and related events  - Real-time traffic management in the city will be improved - More than 4,600 public housing flats should be completed before the end of 2024 At a press conference following the policy address, Ho was asked whether he had any intentions to run for reelection as he had only one year left in his term. He said he had not made his decision yet.  The CE was also asked whether Macao’s economic problems could be fully addressed by the so-called 1+4 policy – a reference to the one central pillar of tourism being buttressed by the four supporting sectors of health, technology, finance and event production. He responded by saying that 1+4 was not an antidote to all economic woes, and that the government would use GDP as an indicator of the success of the strategy.  When asked about the incentives that Macao would adopt to attract visitors, the CE said that tourism officials and travel agencies were working out the details, adding that there would be an increase in conferences and exhibitions.  [See more: Macao responds angrily to US human trafficking sanctions] On the topic of national security and its inclusion in the education curriculum, Ho said that other jurisdictions had adopted similar policies. In response to a question about the payrise that public servants will be receiving and whether there was any concern about a public backlash, Ho pointed out that the bump represented only a  3.3 percent rise over the past four years. He conceded, however, that there had been cyberattacks on Macao government websites. Ho sidestepped a question on whether LGBT applicants would be welcomed under the government’s various talent recruitments schemes, and if greater recognition would be given to LGBT residents locally. He said any such moves would require the consensus of the wider community. How to get a copy of the policy address Hard copies of the policy address can be obtained from the Government Headquarters Affairs Bureau, the Macao Central Library and other government-affiliated institutions. Soft copies can also be downloaded via the government’s online portal and a dedicated policy address website.  In addition to today’s CE Policy Address and press conference, Ho is holding a question and answer session with legislators tomorrow.  — With reporting by Kenny Fong  ]]> Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:52:34 +0800 Mariana César de Sá 67138 2023-11-02 16:56:29 2023-11-02 16:52:34 3 Li passed away in Shanghai last Friday at the age of 68. Flags will fly at half-mast at the Government Headquarters as well as all border checkpoints today.]]>last Friday at the age of 68. Flags will fly at half-mast at the Government Headquarters and Santa Sancha Mansion as well as all border checkpoints today. Li was a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 17th, 18th, and 19th Communist Party of China Central Committees, and served as Premier from March 2013 to March 2023. [See more: Former premier Li Keqiang has died aged 68, state media says] The former Chinese premier conducted a three-day inspection tour to Macao in October 2016 where he attended the fifth ministerial-level conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, also known as Forum Macao.  ]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:54:19 +0800 Gilbert Humphrey 66987 2023-10-27 09:54:19 2023-10-27 09:54:19 3 The Peking University-trained economist was known for his pragmatic policies targeting income inequality and unaffordable housing.]]>Former premier Li Keqiang has died of a heart attack in Shanghai, according to multiple news reports citing Chinese state media. He was 68 years old. CTTV said that Li “while resting in Shanghai in recent days, [Li] experienced a sudden heart attack on Oct. 26 and after all-out efforts to revive him failed.” The broadcaster added that he died “at ten minutes past midnight on Oct. 27” in a statement quoted by Reuters. Born the son of an official in Anhui province, Li was a supporter of Macao. During a three-day visit to the territory in 2016, he hailed it as a “treasured lotus land, a beautiful and special place” and backed its closer integration with the mainland. [See more: Chinese Premier calls for strong links with Portuguese speaking-countries] The Peking University-educated economist was also known for his fiscal pragmatism and policies designed to combat income inequality and lower the cost of housing.  In 2020, he ignited a public debate on poverty by pointing out that 600 million people in China were living on less than 1,000 yuan a month He also took issue with the impact of the nation’s draconian zero-Covid policy on economic growth, famously appearing in public without a mask before restrictions were lifted.  ]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:06 +0800 Gilbert Humphrey 66974 2023-10-27 07:51:39 2023-10-27 07:00:06 3 Washington says it will impose sanctions on Macao from next year over the territory’s alleged failure to combat the scourge of trafficking.]]>The local government has protested the imposition of US sanctions for what Washington says is Macao’s failure to combat human trafficking. “The US decision has been made without a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the actual situation in Macao,” read a statement from the Office of the Secretary for Security cited by the Portuguese news agency Lusa. The statement added that Washington “continues to ignore the efforts and achievements that the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has made over the years in preventing and combating human trafficking.” According to Lusa, the US has imposed sanctions on several territories, including Macao, over alleged human trafficking lapses. Due to take effect next year, the sanctions apply to “non-humanitarian and non-commercial aid” and do not allow funding for participation in educational and cultural exchange programs, unless such programs combat trafficking or advance US national interests. [See more: Macao hits back at US accusations of rights violations] The White House has also instructed American officials at development banks and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to “vote against and to make all efforts to refuse any loan or other use of their institution’s funds” to Macao. In its 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, the US State Department said the Macao government “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.” It added that “the government did not adequately report proactively screening at-risk populations, such as individuals in commercial sex, for trafficking indicators; and for the fourth consecutive year, the government did not identify or provide services to any victims. The government has not convicted a trafficker since 2019 and has never identified a victim of forced labour exploited in Macao.” The Office of the Secretary for Security said Washingon’s assessment was made “without the full knowledge of the information.”  ]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:32:55 +0800 Erico Dias 66673 2023-10-17 07:32:55 2023-10-17 07:32:55 3 The bill aims for more thorough vetting of chief executive candidates on national security grounds, and to criminalise the act of inciting election committee members not to vote.]]>The Legislative Assembly (AL) has unanimously passed the outline of a government-initiated bill amending the Chief Executive (CE) Election Law, the Macau Post Daily reports. The amendment is a bid to plug national security loopholes in existing legislation. Under the amendment, candidates for the role of chief executive will be assessed by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security.  If the committee decides to disqualify a candidate on national security grounds, the candidate will not have a right of appeal.  The bill also proposes to punish the act of publicly inciting members of the 400-member Chief Executive Election Committee to cast blank or invalid votes, or to abstain from voting, with a prison sentence of up to three years. [See more: Classes on national security will feature in Macao’s school curriculum] It also proposes that members of the election committee sign a declaration of allegiance to the Macao Special Administrative Region. Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong introduced the outline of the amendment bill at a legislative session yesterday, saying that it aimed to ensure full implementation of the “patriots governing Macao” principle. He noted that the government carried out public consultation on the law’s amendments between 15 June and 29 July. Cheong said that the legislature expects to pass the amendment bill in its second and final article-by-article vote by the end of this year.  ]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:20:32 +0800 Erico Dias 66004 2023-09-20 07:49:21 2023-09-20 07:20:32 3 Priorities are likely to include polishing Macao’s status as a non-gaming destination, furthering economic diversification, and greater integration with Hengqin.]]>In the lead up to his 2024 Policy Address, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng is meeting with local figureheads, organisations and associations – seeking opinions on what the SAR’s year ahead should look like, TDM reports. On Monday, he met with Macao’s representatives at the National People's Assembly.  At the meeting, José Chui Sai Peng said the government needed to enhance the city’s image as a non-gaming destination. Lao Ngai Leong, meanwhile, thought tax benefits from China’s central authorities should be used to spur business ventures in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. [See more: Hengqin announces tax breaks for qualified professionals] Ho indicated that hastening development in the Hengqin would be on the agenda. He said that Macao and Guangdong authorities were looking at ways to boost investment and improve cross-border infrastructure. André Cheong, the secretary for administration and justice, meanwhile brought up the importance of revising Macao’s electoral laws for the chief executive and Legislative Assembly elections. He also said that the city would aim to improve the tourism and leisure sector, promote emerging industries in Hengqin, and speed up economic diversification.  ]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:27:56 +0800 Erico Dias 65602 2023-09-06 07:27:56 2023-09-06 07:27:56 3 While national identity education is already common in the SAR, a new framework is being developed to incorporate lessons on national security.]]>New strands of national security education are going to be woven into Macao’s school curriculum in the near future, according to the SAR’s director of Education and Youth Development, Kong Chi Meng. Education on national identity is already common in local schools and colleges and there is a centre dedicated to the topic at the Macao Handover Gifts Museum in NAPE. However, according to a report by the Macau Daily Times, Kong said that a new educational framework was being developed and that supplementary materials relating to national security could be expected in a year or two.  [See more: A new bill aims to amend Macao’s chief executive election law] Kong promised that the new framework would not increase the number of hours students had to study, or add any additional subjects to their workload. Rather, the new points of focus would be blended into existing subjects, the Times said. The move comes after China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC) debated a patriotic education bill this summer that would give “targeted regulations” on how people in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan should promote national identity education. The proposed bill stipulates content, aims, principles and a mechanism for such education, NPC spokesman Zang Tiewei explained.  ]]>